Ben Roethlisberger

[Ryan Scott]

I know he's been exonerated in each case of sexual assault brought against him and I also assume those who post here are united in wishing Ben conducted himself differently with women. However I was a bit outraged this morning. CBS' national morning show was interviewing current broadcaster and former Roethilberger teammate Jerome Bettis about the impact this will have on his career. Bettis commented on likely suspensions and how difficult it will be to rehab his image with fans. Throughout the entire interview Bettis kept referring to the "other people" Roethilberger's actions affected - he talked about teammates and fans and never once mentioned the women he keeps having questionable interactions with.

Can someone tell this guy not to get women drunk in order to sleep with them? He shouldn't be doing these things because they're wrong, not because it might hurt his career.

[Billie Goodson]

Something that continues to bother me about this entire case -- what is a 20-year old doing drunk in a bar? Not that this should excuse the Steeler's QB from his alleged actions. It would seem that there should be sufficient evidence to exclude the alleged assault victim and have some of her likely underage friends testify as to how they came to be in a bar and were provided drinks. To your point Ryan, I don't know if the Pittsburgh QB really had anything to do with getting the person drunk before the alleged event took place. More likely that he just took advantage of a situation. I wonder why her friends never took more definitive action while the alleged assault was occurring? When they were "blocked" from going to her aid, a simple cell phone call to 911 would have brought a more swift conclusion to the situation. Not that I think the Pittsburgh QB should have a pass on this, but I also think we know far less than the entire truth in this case. Maybe in the future, young girsl will show better judgment in avoiding the persons and situations that lead to this incident. Not likely, but it could be hoped.

[Ryan Scott]

All the reports said he took over the VIP section of the bar and ordered dozens of shots which were spread around to all of the people there. I do wonder why he wasn't charged with providing alcohol to minors, perhaps the young women were not as forthcoming with that information or perhaps its all circumstantial.

Again, I suppose in this day and age, Ben has the right to go out on the town in any manner he sees fit - after three incidents I hope he understands that the consequences of such actions might be very costly to him, even if its just a perception that lacks reality.

[James Johnson]

Something that continues to bother me about this entire case -- what is a 20-year old doing drunk in a bar? Not that this should excuse the Steeler's QB from his alleged actions. It would seem that there should be sufficient evidence to exclude the alleged assault victim and have some of her likely underage friends testify as to how they came to be in a bar and were provided drinks. To your point Ryan, I don't know if the Pittsburgh QB really had anything to do with getting the person drunk before the alleged event took place. More likely that he just took advantage of a situation. I wonder why her friends never took more definitive action while the alleged assault was occurring? When they were "blocked" from going to her aid, a simple cell phone call to 911 would have brought a more swift conclusion to the situation. Not that I think the Pittsburgh QB should have a pass on this, but I also think we know far less than the entire truth in this case. Maybe in the future, young girsl will show better judgment in avoiding the persons and situations that lead to this incident. Not likely, but it could be hoped.

I would suggest you read the report, perhaps then you will not go so easy on Ben!

[Billie Goodson]

I would suggest you read the report, perhaps then you will not go so easy on Ben!

Actually, I read excerpts of the report -- before posting. If you have a link to the full report, I would appreciate it. From what I see, the beauty of the report is that we have one side's version of the story. Given this same information, the DA's office chose not to prosecute. That gives me an idea that, as usual, there is more to the story. I attempted to confine my comments only to the allegation that the Pittsburgh QB intentionally provided alcohol to a under aged individual. I realize I also included some information that implies I don't think the others offering testimony did everything reasonable to prevent harm to their friend -- that is secondary. As I said, "not that this should excuse the Steeler's QB from his alledged actions." Were his actions reprehensible? Based on the information available, I would say "yes". Is he guilty of intentionally getting an underage girl drunk? If I walked into a bar and offered to buy everyone there drinks, is it my responsibility to ensure that each individual served is of the appropriate "age" for consuming alcohol?

[Ryan Scott]

I believe the DA said the primary reason they didn't prosecute was because of shoddy police work at the scene, over which at least one office has already resigned. Also, I'm hearing today that there are lots of stories floating around Pittsburgh of just seedy things this guy does on a regular basis. His teammates didn't stick up for him last year - why should we?

[Billie Goodson]

I believe the DA said the primary reason they didn't prosecute was because of shoddy police work at the scene, over which at least one office has already resigned. Also, I'm hearing today that there are lots of stories floating around Pittsburgh of just seedy things this guy does on a regular basis. His teammates didn't stick up for him last year - why should we?

Is someone sticking up for him?

[Jeremy D. Scott]

So what does everyone think about the punishment?

I think that it's just about right.

[Billie Goodson]

From the NFL perspective it is probably sufficient. There have been players do more and get less, but in view of the case, it is about right. Goodell always tries to leave in the possibility of a reduction of the penalty to appease the NFLPA, lets hope he doesn't exercise it. If I was a member of the Rooney family -- we would be taking the best offer we could get and moving on.

[Jeremy D. Scott]

If I was a member of the Rooney family -- we would be taking the best offer we could get and moving on.

I've been hearing all day that's exactly what the Steelers are doing. Tonight could be interesting.

[Shea Zellweger]

Can you imagine what it would do to the draft if the Steelers made an eleventh hour trade to the Rams?

[Ryan Scott]

The local station had Bill Maas on. He's a former KC Chief and does sideline reporting for the really uninteresting NFL games sometimes. He was saying that Ben's been a little more troublesome in Pittsburgh than the team would like, but they were putting up with it because it never really made the press and he was winning. He's just proven to be incredibly irresponsible, not only with his actions, but in the carelessness with which he's gone about committing those actions.

The best scenario I've seen yet is Roethilberger to Oakland for two #1 picks (this year and next).

[Billie Goodson]

The local station had Bill Maas on. He's a former KC Chief and does sideline reporting for the really uninteresting NFL games sometimes. He was saying that Ben's been a little more troublesome in Pittsburgh than the team would like, but they were putting up with it because it never really made the press and he was winning. He's just proven to be incredibly irresponsible, not only with his actions, but in the carelessness with which he's gone about committing those actions.

The best scenario I've seen yet is Roethilberger to Oakland for two #1 picks (this year and next).

BR in black along with Al Davis -- is it possible that two people can so deserve each other?

[Ryan Scott]

BR in black along with Al Davis -- is it possible that two people can so deserve each other?

Bill Simmons' take on this was that Al Davis has been dead for years anyway, so he could care less about his own reputation.

[Billie Goodson]

Bill Simmons' take on this was that Al Davis has been dead for years anyway, so he could care less about his own reputation.

Davis proved long ago that reputation was not a concern of his. Something BR proved he had the same view of just recently -- thus, they were a perfect fit. Looks like the Rooney's just wanted to scare Ben into compliance instead of real concern for their image.

[Benjamin Burch]

Davis proved long ago that reputation was not a concern of his. Something BR proved he had the same view of just recently -- thus, they were a perfect fit. Looks like the Rooney's just wanted to scare Ben into compliance instead of real concern for their image.

I think it's both. I think they're concerned with their image and therefore want to get their Two Time Super Bowl QB to help add to that image, and stop damaging it. They'd like to accomplish that without giving up their Super Bowl QB. They're also hoping that after this much trouble the guy will wise up. I think that's all fair, especially when the guy committed no crime (technically speaking. I know we can play games and run around all day, but I find it too easy to say people are guilty who the justice system says otherwise about). He's made terrible decisions, clearly. But he's still very young (most people don't realize he's only 28).

I think the Steelers are hoping that they can get this kid to grow up and be a stand up citizen and football QB. I think they won't stand for any more foolishness and if they accomplish this goal it will look every bit as good for their "image."

[Ryan Scott]

I caught an interview with Aaron Rogers yesterday. He was very well spoken and mature, even willing to comment on the policy in general, saying he has a responsibility to his family, the team, and the league - which is why he spends most of his free time watching film and working out. He's only 26. I'm 28; and while I suppose there is some appeal to a reckless carefree lifestyle, I'm already finding that most 20 year olds look too young to even be attractive to me. I'm not sure I can buy his age as an excuse - maybe if he was 16.

[Benjamin Burch]

I caught an interview with Aaron Rogers yesterday. He was very well spoken and mature, even willing to comment on the policy in general, saying he has a responsibility to his family, the team, and the league - which is why he spends most of his free time watching film and working out. He's only 26. I'm 28; and while I suppose there is some appeal to a reckless carefree lifestyle, I'm already finding that most 20 year olds look too young to even be attractive to me. I'm not sure I can buy his age as an excuse - maybe if he was 16.

I'm not trying to say his age is an excuse. I'm saying I think that's part of the reason the Rooneys are giving him a chance. He can still grow up...

[Ryan Scott]

I'm not trying to say his age is an excuse. I'm saying I think that's part of the reason the Rooneys are giving him a chance. He can still grow up...

That and everyone is low-balling them with offers they can't afford to take.

[Ryan Scott]

I'm not sure if anyone is an NFL salary expert, but does the forfeited money from Roethlisburger's suspension remain with the team or go to the league, as with fines? He makes a lot of money, so this suspension isn't exactly chump change for the Steelers. Since there's no salary cap this year, they could conceivably use some of this money to pay someone else and still remain under the same budget, right?

[Billie Goodson]

I'm not sure if anyone is an NFL salary expert, but does the forfeited money from Roethlisburger's suspension remain with the team or go to the league, as with fines? He makes a lot of money, so this suspension isn't exactly chump change for the Steelers. Since there's no salary cap this year, they could conceivably use some of this money to pay someone else and still remain under the same budget, right?

One ESPN story reported this:

The Steelers also were ordered to remit a portion of Roethlisberger's salary to the NFL for having two players suspended for violations of the league's personal conduct or drug policies. Wide receiver Santonio Holmes was suspended for four games before being traded to the New York Jets this month.

A second player being suspended requires the offending team to pay the NFL 25 percent of the second player's forfeited salary, with the maximum amount being $200,000.

[Ryan Scott]

So they have everything but $200,000 to spend on other players, which is nice for them. That's at least one other free agent they can pick up, maybe they're using it to pay Byron Leftwich.

[Billie Goodson]

So they have everything but $200,000 to spend on other players, which is nice for them. That's at least one other free agent they can pick up, maybe they're using it to pay Byron Leftwich.

I don't know if it is true that the money can be used for salary toward another player (or that it can't). Since there likely will be no salary cap this year, it is kind of a moot point. But in "normal" years -- it would be problematic because the terms of the contract state the money due. Do they look at the contracts for the amounts or at the actual expenditures? Not sure.

[Ryan Scott]

Right, in a normal year they would still be constrained by the salary cap. This year, they can spend freely. Pittsburgh has less money to spend than some of the other competitive teams, so saving this money, supposing they are still able to win some games without their QB, would help them compete.